Teratoma: A Developmental Tumor with Tissues from All Germ Layers

Teratoma: A Developmental Tumor with Tissues from All Germ Layers

Question. Describe in briefly the teratoma.

Answer. A true teratoma is a developmental tumor composed of tissues from all three germ layers, i.e., ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm:

• Such tumors are believed to derive from germ cells or entrapped totipotent blastomeres, which can produce derivatives of all three germ layers.
• Teratomas are more common in the ovaries and testes and can be benign or malignant.

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Teratoma Clinical Features

• It is most commonly seen in infants.
• Orally it involves soft palate and hard palate. Systemically it involves the testis, ovary, abdominal viscera and pineal region.
• It consist of teeth, sebaceous material and some hairs.

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Teratoma Histopathology

• H and E-stained section show stratifid squamous epithelium with epithelial appendages consisting of sebaceous glands, sweat glands, hairs, salivary glands, teeth.
• At times thyroid gland tissue and pancreatic tissue can be seen.

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Teratoma Treatment

Surgical excision of tumor should be done.